Time Machine: How to transfer Time Machine backups from one Time Capsule to a different one

To transfer an existing Time Machine backup on a Time Capsule to a new Time Capsule, follow these steps.

Tip: Leave the computer in the same room as the Time Capsules, or use an Ethernet cable to connect the Mac to the Ethernet port on the existing Time Capsule, then use another Ethernet cable to connect from the existing Time Capsule to the new Time Capsule.

1. Configure your new Time Capsule for the home network. See the documentation that came with your Time Capsule for information about setting it up on the home network.
2. Open Time Machine preferences in System Preferences (choose Time Machine menu > Time Machine Preferences…).
3. Slide the Time Machine switch to Off.
4. Open a Finder window.
5. Locate both Time Capsules listed in the SHARED section of the Finder window sidebar. Note: If you do not see the Time Capsules in that section, choose Finder > Preferences… > Sidebar  and make sure "Connected servers" & "Bonjour computers" are checked.
6. Select the new Time Capsule in the sidebar, click "Connect As…" and enter the password for the Time Capsule.
7. Mount the Time Capsule volume by clicking it.
8. Repeat the previous two steps with the existing Time Capsule, to mount it.
9. Open a new Finder window and drag the backup disk image from the existing Time Capsule to the new Time Capsule. This may take some time to complete because the entire backup will be copied.
10. Open Time Machine preferences in System Preferences (choose Time Machine menu > Time Machine Preferences…).
11. Click "Select Disk...", highlight the new Time Capsule, then click "Use Backup Disk".
12. Perform a Time Machine backup.
13. After the initial Time Machine backup completes, you can remove the Ethernet cables and continue wireless Time Machine backups.